Now situated in the Raelene Boyle Hall Complex, the careers office is to right of the main foyer as you enter the main auditorium (sign on the door). Going forward I will be in this space on Wednesday and Thursday and available for appointments by contacting me on careers@ccps.qld.edu.au. *NB – It is important that all members of our community use email as the way to communicate with me about the career’s services on offer. Year 10 Despite the Covid-19 interruption career education has been occurring online during Term 2. Students have been doing some career education in their year 10 Personal Development time with Dr M and Mr C on Wednesday mornings. Through a series of online career worksheets and Microsoft Teams lessons the students have been investigating the following: What about me and what do I have to work with (assessing their strengths, weaknesses, interests, personal qualities and goals). How to use online sources to find out about career and job information (using JOBOUTLOOK and GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE websites). Using the internet to find out about Educational Pathways (using UNIVERSITY and AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIPS websites). Investigating employability skills and work values. Building a usable and up-to-date RESUME (with a view to supporting part time work applications now). Going forward… Year 10 have been asked to return all completed careers activities to me and then book a personal meeting during the next three weeks before Term 2 ends. The QTAC Year 10 Guides (publication to assist students with university subject pre-requisites for Year 11 and 12 will arrive toward the end of the Term. SET Plans (Senior Education Training Plans will be conducted for Year 10’s next term at a time TBC). This is an important time for Year 10 and I would appreciate it if parents could check in with their sons and daughters to make sure that they are actively participating in all of the above. Year 12 Year 12 have had the opportunity to be involved in the Year13 online Careers Expo (unfortunately normal methods have been cancelled due to you know what). I have received positive feedback from a number of our Year 12’s about this event. I have also had some great one on one sessions with our seniors of 2020 regarding their futures, and again, I strongly advise that they all make a time to catch with me in the short term. Term 3 is the “big” term for Year 12 as far as future pathways are concerned. Soon the Year 12 QTAC Guide (which lists all the courses open to our students for 2021) will arrive. Mrs Cuthbert will organise a Year 12 QTAC evening for both students and parents to attend, where we will explain the process of tertiary applications for next year. Some interesting Career News for our seniors of 2020 It is natural that Year 12’s are a bit nervous about university entry going forward but information released through the media this week shows that universities are offering various types of assistance to 2020 students to reduce stress due to “these unprecedented times” (sorry I have heard this so much lately I thought I should say it too). Here’s a list of university incentives for 2020 Year 12’s: Australian Catholic University – will use Year 11 academic results (but Year 12 will need to be completed). James Cook University – will ask for Principal’s recommendations and give ATAR bonuses for any student passing Specialist Mathematics, Mathematic Methods, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or any Foreign Language – up to a total of 10 bonus ranks. Griffith University – will provide 80 academic scholarships ($24,000) for students with ATAR over 95.5 and allow students entry with a completed Certificate III, Certificate IV or Diploma. Bond University will offer places to Year 12’s on the basis of their Year 11 results. University of Southern Queensland – will pay $29,000 to Australian students to attend if they preference USQ 1st during the QTAC process. University of Queensland – will offer $60,000 scholarships for any students who achieve a top ATAR of 99.9. Queensland University of Technology – will offer 145 scholarships (with 90 of these worth $30,000). University of Sunshine Coast – will offer donor-funded scholarships up to $40,000. These are just some of the many reasons why students and parents should connect with CCPS Careers ASAP (remember to email me at careers@ccps.qld.edu.au). In closing a great careers quote: “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi Have a great weekend. Kind Regards Steve Cuthbert